How to Buy a Bean to Cup Machine using Logic based on your Environment
10th February 2020
Are you on the hunt for a fully-functional coffee machine for your workplace? There is plenty to choose from! The key to getting the right machine that suits your workplace environment is to weigh up your options in terms of how many employees you need to cater for, your budget and variety of coffee beverages needed to satisfy your workforce. Choosing a bean-to-cup machine requires thought and knowledge of the products available to you. This is where we can help with our knowledge and expertise of the coffee industry and leading coffee machine models that will lead you on a path to business success.
How Bean to Cup Coffee Machines Work
Bean-to-cup coffee machines always produce fresh coffee of the highest quality, with an in-built grinder, for grinding fresh coffee beans and a steamer for producing quality lattes and cappuccinos with fresh milk. Coffee is easily dispensed at the touch of a button and do not require any training. They do the work of a barista all in one, grinding coffee beans on demand, tamping the grounds, extracting the coffee and steaming or frothing milk.
Size of Business and Business Output
Depending on the size of your business, your first step will be to consider out the type of bean-to-cup machine that can cater for however many employees you have. If you have over 300 employees in your workplace then a bean-to-cup machine with a maximum capacity is one best suited to you. You will also need to consider how many cups of coffee your employees get through a day. If you have a large office with employees drinking between 2-3 cups per day on average, then a machine that can output more than double the number of employees is a perfect fit. It is important therefore that you can get a rough estimate of the number of people in your business premises and the amount of coffee they consume. Some machines can cope better at dispensing high volumes of coffee than others.
How Practical Your Environment is
Most bean-to-cup coffee machines have the facility to be plumbed directly into your mains water supply. You will need to consider the space you have and whether you want your machine to be on show in the workspace, or separate in your workplace kitchen facilities. For situations where mains water supply is not practical for you, there is a range of machines with a hand-fill tank. Give some thought of the proximity of power supply too as trailing power cables are unsafe and a major trip hazard. Conduct your own health and safety assessment to check where you have all the necessary equipment and correct placement of a bean-to-cup machine and whether you would better suit a mains supply or water fill tank model.
How Much Space Do You Have
Bean-to-cup machines require over-counter space to hold additional features including cup holders, storing coffee beans, condiments, syrups and so on. Many models of machine require little space because of their sleek design. They are very practical and are often favoured to be placed in a kitchen facility and close to a mains water supply, especially if you are wanting to serve alternative drinks such as tea. Plus, you don’t want to all be fighting over the coffee machine at once! Make sure you have a big enough space to hold a coffee machine, make drinks freely and have a breakout area for employees to sit and relax while on their coffee break. Having a social space can make all the difference in the world. The act of making coffee then becomes something everyone can enjoy. Knowing what kitchen space you have available will help you identify exactly what machine you should lease or buy.
Extra Care and Maintenance
A bean-to-cup machine will need to be cleaned, milk will need to be topped up and coffee beans will need to be replaced no matter what model of machine you choose. They require care and attention to ensure an exceptional coffee experience 24/7. To adhere to hygiene standards too, you will need to clean daily, to reduce the need for engineer visits and keep your machine in working order.
Self-Service Use and Convenience
All bean-to-cup machines have a self-service functionality where you can navigate your way through an LCD touchscreen menu to determine the type of drink and what size you require. The drink is then dispensed in under 1 minute. You can choose between single serve, multiple serve, drip down or one-cup per-click machines depending on your environment. If you are using your machine at the breakfast bar as part of your hotel service, you will expect there to be a number of options available to them, when it comes to choosing their perfect drink. They may also be forming a queue, if the coffee machine is popular and returning for their second or even third drink to go with their breakfast, so you may need to invest in two coffee machines, just in case. If the machine is to be used in a car showroom, you can guarantee it will be used by both staff and customers that walk through your door. Invest in a bean-to-cup machine that is easy to navigate without requiring any assistance to help the flow of customers wanting to use the machine.
If you are in a workplace where using the machine will be an individual responsibility then make. sure you invest in a machine that is easy to navigate and there are a host of options available in terms of beverages to choose from. If however, it is a shared responsibility where one person makes several coffees for the office all at once, then having a coffee machine that can cope with a large output is important